Princess Cruises canceled the Caribbean cruises that had been scheduled April 9, 16 and 23 and a transatlantic cruise scheduled April 30 on the Star Princess, which has been taken out of service after a fire damaged 100 cabins and left one passenger dead and 11 injured.
The cruise line already had canceled the March 26 and April 3 departures of the Star Princess.
As more travelers become experienced Caribbean cruisers, they are discovering a new tropical paradise, the Mexican Riviera, which offers sensational scenery, some of the best beaches in the world and a formidable array of cultural attractions. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the Mexican Riviera has grown into one of the top five cruise destinations in the last five years, and for good reason.
Typically, CLIA member line ships call at such destinations as California´s Monterey and Catalina Island, and the Mexican ports of Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa/Zihautanjeo, Manzanillo and Mazatlan. Cruises from seven to 11 days set sail from Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Diego and San Francisco.
The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) congratulates both Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International for rejecting suggestions to cut costs by cutting travel agency commissions.
A report generated by Goldman Sachs, suggested both cruise lines should lower their travel agent commission and redirect bookings to their own websites in efforts to save money. The cruise lines however, have said they have no intention of following such recommendations, because they value the role of the travel agent in their business.
Disney Cruse Lines is leaving North America for the first time in 2007 and revealed it will sail a series of itineraries in Europe aboard the Disney Magic.
The Disney Magic will offer 10 and 11 night Mediterranean roundtrip cruises out of Barcelona, Spain, calling in various ports in France, Italy and Spain.
The Delta Queen Steamboat Company –a Delaware North Company- will celebrate the return of the American Queen in 2007 with several advance purchase offers. All three boats will steam from their home port in New Orleans, beginning their season in the Spring of 2007.
Following her charters to energy companies in support of disaster relief efforts in the Gulf Coast area and an extended lay-up, the grand American Queen, will join the National Historic Landmark Delta Queen, and the magnificent Mississippi Queen to travel the lower Mississippi River in the South.
Princess Cruises has announced it will expand its fleet by adding a sister vessel to the line´s popular Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess.
The 680-passenger ship will be named Royal Princess, taking the name of a former, much-beloved Princess ship which had long been cruising in Europe and other exotic worldwide destinations.